This last week was another week filled with a lot of field activity happening around the state, including quite a bit of corn and soybeans being planted. ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomists provide updates on activities occurring in their respective regions and agronomic considerations to keep on your radar.
Leah Ten Napel (Region 1):
Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux, Woodbury counties
“Most areas of NW Iowa received only light amounts of rainfall which allowed field work to continue throughout the last week. Fertilizer and chemical applications have been taking place across the region. Many planters have been rolling as well. Some early planted small grains have started to emerge, and pastures are greening up nicely. The ISU Mesonet has several resources to use this spring, like 4 inch soil temperatures and precipitation maps. Our spring subsoil moisture results are now posted, check them out!
Angie Rieck-Hinz (Region 3):
Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hamilton, Hardin, Humboldt, Webster, Worth, Wright counties
“Much needed rain fell across the area this past weekend, with a few showers prior to the weekend. From April 17- April 22, Fort Dodge received 1.0" of rain, Hampton 2.5" of rain, and Mason City 2.23" of rain. There is significantly more planting progress south of Hwy 3 than north of Hwy 3. Some people have indicated they are done planting and some have not started. Generally speaking, cooler temperatures did not concern folks who did plant. We are averaging nearly 12 GDD units behind average for April 1 - April 22. The forecast looks wet for the next 7-10 days, so let me urge caution when you return to the field to start/resume planting to make sure soil conditions are fit. The good news is temperatures seem to be leveling out, which should help get already planted crops to emergence. I have black cutworm and true armyworm traps in Hamilton and Story counties. Each location has already had significant back cutworm moth captures. Phone calls this past week included questions about planting depth, soil fertility recommendations, and concerns about slow growth on pastures.”
Terry Basol (Region 4):
Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Chickasaw, Floyd, Grundy, Howard, Mitchell counties
“Spring planting season started up the later part of the week of April 7, with both corn and soybeans being planted across my region. Conducive weather temperatures and dry conditions also allowed growers to apply dry fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, UAN, and begin herbicide applications, barring the strong winds that ensued for part of the week. Cool, wet conditions have followed this past week, which has resulted in a halt to planting. Make sure to start scouting planted fields for emergence and to conduct stand counts to determine populations. Also, be on the lookout for seedling diseases, as we have had conducive environmental conditions in the early planting season for their development. According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) as of April 20, 15 and 11% of the acres have been planted to corn in NC and NE Iowa, respectively. Soybeans are just under 10% planted for NC and NE Iowa. About 60 – 70% of the oats have been seeded here. As far as precipitation, according to the Iowa Mesonet, the NE Iowa Research and Demonstration Farm at Nashua has received 2.58” of rain for the period of April 17 through April 21, and a total of 3.1” for the month of April. Here’s hoping the next couple of weeks brings us favorable planting conditions for Iowa’s farmers.”
Josh Michel (Region 5):
Allamakee, Buchanan, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Jones, Linn, Winneshiek counties
“Last week producers in NE Iowa were able to continue field operations and start planting across most of the region. Scattered rain showers in the middle of the week delivered 0.25 to1" of precipitation. Severe thunderstorms Sunday night delivered 1 to 1.5", with some isolated areas receiving up to 2" of precipitation. I would expect this to help relieve some of the drought stress currently indicated by last week’s Drought Monitor. Four-inch soil temperatures continue to hover in the mid to upper 40’s but are expected to rise and stay above 50 degrees for the next several days. In between rain showers, producers were able to continue field operations across most of the region. An estimated 55-60% of the oats have been planted, with 15-20% emerged. An estimated 10-15% of the corn has been planted, while soybeans are at 5-10%. Alfalfa fields and pastures continue to slowly green up. Recent rainfall and warming temperatures should help them take off pretty quick now. The majority of field calls over the past week have centered around cover crop termination, soil temperatures and planting conditions, soil fertility, corn rootworm management, and pasture weed identification and management.”
Meaghan Anderson (Region 7):
Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marshall, Polk, Story, Tama, Warren counties
“Last week was a whirlwind planting activity and it seemed the only thing that slowed anyone down was the wind speed preventing the sprayers from keeping up. While most farmers in central Iowa were planting corn, lots of soybeans went in the ground as well. I estimate we’re more than 50% planted on corn in many areas and perhaps 20-30% planted on soybean. Corn planted on Saturday, April 12 could be emerging in the next 2-3 days and later planting dates will be shortly behind that. Monitor planted fields for emergence in the 90-120 GDD range after the date of planting. Check out our articles on corn stand assessments and soybean stand assessments. Rains over the weekend and early this week brought anywhere from about 0.5” to over 3” through central Iowa. The forecast looks like we’ll be stalled from much fieldwork for a bit longer. Most phone calls this week were related to weed identification and management and planting.”
Rebecca Vittetoe (Region 8):
Iowa, Jefferson, Keokuk, Poweshiek, Washington, Johnson counties
"Other than windy days slowing down sprayers and some areas catching rain on Thursday that pushed folks out of the field, quite a bit of fieldwork took place around my region last week. I’d estimate that 30–40% of the corn and 25–30% of the soybeans have been planted, though those numbers vary depending on the neighborhood. Rainfall totals over the past week and this last weekend ranged from 0.5" to over 2". With more rain in the forecast this week, I don’t expect much additional fieldwork to get done. On a positive note, pastures and forages are really starting to show good growth. If you haven’t checked your alfalfa fields recently, take time to scout for alfalfa weevil—I found my first few larvae last week. Our moth trapping network has also been picking up activity across the state, with captures of both black cutworm and true armyworm moths. Notably, there was a significant moth flight recorded over the weekend at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Crawfordsville. Most of the questions and calls I’ve received this last week have been focused on cover crop termination, weed identification, and planting."
Virgil Schmitt (Region 9):
Cedar, Clinton, Des Moines, Henry, Jackson, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine, Scott counties
“Rainfall during the last week in the counties I cover was generally from 1.0 to about 2.0”. Fertilizer application and spring tillage continue. Herbicide spraying occurred on the days with calm winds last week. A few more corn and soybean fields have been planted. Pastures look good. Most recent calls revolve around weed management and terminating cover crops.”
Aaron Saeugling (Region 10):
“Southwest Iowa planting is underway, with corn and soybeans being planted at a record pace. Spraying has been behind due to windy conditions on some days. Most pastures are greening up and growing with the recent rain and warm weather. It’s hard to estimate the crop planted but, soybean planting was in full swing early last week. Some were holding off on corn until this week. Late last week on Thursday, Cass County had 1.45” of rain along with some hail in places. Portions of Mills, Fremont, Page and Montgomery counties had tornado and hail damage on Thursday as well. Winter annuals are prevalent in fields with no burndown applications. I have observed more tillage this year than in past years based on dry spring soil conditions. I expect with good weather this week a lot of crops to be planted.”
Logan McCrea (Region 11):
Appanoose, Davis, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Van Buren, Wapello, Wayne counties
“Planting and fieldwork continued along at quick speeds for much of last week across region 11, with some getting close to wrapping up their field operations while others were just beginning to get a bit of a start. Easter Sunday was a cool, rainy day, with totals ranging from around 0.5 to 1.5” of some welcome rainfall. This will put a halt to field operations for a bit, especially with a few more rain chances over the next week. For some of the early planted crops, they will be emerging soon in the coming weeks so make sure to get out and scout your fields, checking stands. Alfalfa weevil larvae have begun hatching, as I have been able to find some in alfalfa fields. Now is a great time to get out and scout your fields and keep an eye on them. When scouting, make sure to use thresholds to determine if control measures are recommended. We are roughly 125-225 growing degree days away from peak larvae feeding, depending on where you are in region 11."
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- Field Agronomist in EC/SE Iowa